On the eve of an event planned for World Menstrual Hygiene Day at the Faculty of Literature and Humanities at the University of Tehran — which, for the first time, was to be held through the initiative of a group of female students and included the installation of a sanitary pad vending machine and the free distribution of pads on campus — the Student Basij, with the support of the university’s security office and pressure from intelligence agencies, including the Ministry of Intelligence, prevented the event from taking place.
In their statement, the Student Basij expressed concern over “the infiltration of imported, rootless concepts incompatible with the cultural environment,” “the normalization of sexual taboos,” and “the penetration of suspicious currents.” They described this simple hygienic initiative as a sign of “loss of identity” and “the collapse of rational boundaries.”
A particularly absurd part of the statement reads:
“How is it that the University of Tehran, with its massive budget, broad successes, and strong presence in industrial and technological fields, has turned to such actions to cover its expenses?”
The statement ultimately called on university officials and event organizers to apply stricter oversight regarding “issuing permits, allocating space, and supervising event content,” warning that “the university is not a platform for trial and error by any cultural or political current.”
While many top universities around the world have recognized menstrual hygiene infrastructure for years, at the University of Tehran, even the installation of the most basic welfare tool for half the student population has become an excuse for a cultural and security crackdown. Five years ago, Forough, a student magazine at Sharif University, was also shut down merely for discussing sanitary pads.
The fact that sanitary pads have so enraged security forces and conservative elements highlights just how deeply disconnected these groups are from basic human and health issues.
